Monarchs continue to fill win column

By David Dickens
Updated: December 2, 2021

Monte Vista's Brandon Tully (24) and Isaiah Hilke. / Dave Dickens

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

MONTE VISTA 68, SAN PASQUAL 52

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

SPRING VALLEY (11-28-2021) — And as one the better songs from the mighty Aerosmith says, “The train kept a-rollin’ all night long.” That should be the anthem for Monte Vista head Coach Mike Tully’s Monte Vista Monarchs this season because that is exactly how their team rolls.

If anyone is into taking the family out to a high-energy boys’ high school basketball game, go take a gander at the 2021-22 Monte Vista Monarchs. As soon as Coach Tully is able to convince the bench players to all buy-in, this locomotive of a team is never gonna put their foot on the brakes, and to have such a successful conductor, who does not believe in recruiting, but using all the kids given to him, this is why he is one of the best, and come league play, these Monarchs will be even more dangerous.

Monday night, on their home floor against the visiting San Pasqual Golden Eagles, was no different.

The Monarchs came in with the hot hands to this one after taking care of Crawford last week with ease. Now, to face a north county team that had somewhat of a slow start in San Pasqual.

As they did previously against Crawford, the Monarchs got started very quickly and had the game under control right out of the gate.

The Monarch defense only allowed four points on defense at the end of the first quarter, as they put up 22 points. With three three-pointers and a bucket to lead in points scored in the first quarter was none other than Brandon Tully, the three-pointer a signature of his scoring prowess.

The score was 22-4 at the end of just one quarter of play, with the Monarchs’ footprint all over it.

The second quarter would end up being more of a battle as the Golden Eagles picked up some traction, in a little more of a back and forth effort from both squads.

Monte Vista would still, however, win the second quarter, 16-10, and led at the half, 38-14, and well in control.

Brandon Tully and Saheed Jarvis would lead the offense in the second quarter with a combined 11 points, and Jarvis with a three-pointer.

As always, one of the most vital quarters to win in basketball is the third quarter. With the key starters still on the floor, as not to squander a lead, the Monarchs would be up 24-14, winning the third quarter, and 62-28, prior to the start of the fourth quarter.

Armando Rasing was just one point away from being the leading scorer in the third quarter with 10, as the leading scorer in the third was Brandon Tully with 11. Although Raising had made two three-pointers to Tully’s one, not a usual occurrence but very impressive.

To begin the fourth quarter, as most coaches would do leading by 30 points or more? Send in your bench players along with at least one starter though.

You would typically think maybe they allow a few points more than the starters, however, the bench players will need some more practice as they lost the fourth quarter 24-6, that won’t start you anytime soon if you are players looking to become starters as the season progresses.

“We don’t have a bench and need to get better in that area as soon as possible. Up 30-plus and give it up any time the bench comes in,” said Coach Tully.

Monte Vista had still built up a healthy enough lead to still defeat the Golden Eagles, 68-52.

This victory added another impressive win to lift the Monarchs to 4-1, and three wins in a row.

Up next for the surging Monarchs, another home game against Liberty Charter, which remains winless at 0-4, and will be seeking its first win, a very tall order against the Monarchs at home. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday night, December 2.